‘Stay focused’, Arteta tells players as English Premier League title race hots up
Spanish coach Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to quickly refocus on the Premier League title race following the club’s emotional qualification for the UEFA Champions League final earlier this week.
Arsenal booked only the second Champions League final appearance in the club’s history after defeating Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed that there is no room for distraction as the London side enters the decisive final stretch of the domestic season.
The Gunners are now just three matches away from potentially winning the English Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
Arsenal currently leads the standings by five points over Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola’s side still has a game in hand.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash against West Ham United, Arteta described the match as “huge,” particularly given its importance for both ends of the table. While Arsenal is fighting for the title, West Ham is battling to avoid relegation.
Arteta said his message to the players was clear: remain mentally focused, maintain the same intensity and continue showing the hunger and determination that have defined Arsenal’s season so far.
He added that every remaining game could have a major impact on the club’s title ambitions.
After facing West Ham, Arsenal will host already relegated Burnley before taking on Crystal Palace shortly before the latter’s UEFA Conference League final appearance.
The Arsenal coach also provided an injury update, confirming that Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino and Dutch defender Jurrien Timber remain sidelined and are racing against time to recover before the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.
Arteta admitted both players still face significant recovery work, stressing that everything must progress smoothly if they are to have any chance of participating in the final, even for limited minutes.
